READ | SERMON NOTES
Summary l The theme for this year’s church camp is ‘Shining Like Stars In The Universe’. To ‘shine like stars’ we must know where we are going. We are marching towards an eternal destiny. In Daniel 1:11-16 we learn that Daniel and his three friends from Judah rejected the King’s choice food and drink in favour of simple healthy vegetables and water. They were very clear about God’s call upon their lives, undistracted by creature comforts, and instead focused upon their eternal destiny. For us as Christians, we are to look forward to being with Jesus in His eternal Kingdom and therefore as we witness the shakings and turmoil of this present world we take heart that we are not heading for a hopeless end but towards an endless hope in Jesus Christ. This gives us confidence, assurance and peace as we trust in God.
We are marching to a different drummer (Dan 3:16-18). Daniel’s three friends did not crack under pressure and faced the fiery furnace with equanimity knowing their destiny. It is Jesus who calls the shots not Nebuchadnezzar or any other human power or authority. We march according to the drum beat of Jesus.
Sometimes we run and sometimes we walk but always at the bidding and with the help and hope of Jesus.
We are marching to a different tune (Dan 6:10-13). Daniel was caught in a situation where he was warned not to pray. However, Daniel continued his usual practice of praying three times a day at his open window and was inevitably reported. He recognised that God was his ultimate authority and refused to be intimidated but obeyed God and God only.
We are marching for the long distance (Dan 9:23, Dan 10:10-11, Dan 10:18-19). Our faith journey is not a short-term sprint but a marathon of a lifetime. An angel came to tell Daniel in his twilight years that he was highly esteemed and strengthened him with a direct word from God Himself. When we march long distance there are three things to watch out for so that we can finish strong:
- Money, sex and power. Money must be well accounted for, boundaries with the opposite gender must be set and pay attention not to abuse power. Christians must not grow complacent and think they are above temptation.
- Hurts, wounds and pains. We will all face such challenges. Do we internalise and harbour resentment, bitterness, anger and hatred? This will shorten our lives. Our past will hijack our present unless we forgive and release ourselves (Matt 6:14-15). Jesus tells us that if we do not forgive others, we cannot be forgiven by God. What a tragedy that there are so many people imprisoned by unforgiveness walking the streets of Singapore.
- Anger and disappointments. When our prayers seem to go unanswered there is a tendency to reject God. But there is nowhere else to go. Even Jesus faced unanswered prayer in Gethsemane when he prayed to be released from suffering. Thank God for those unanswered prayers which resulted in our salvation.
As we march together let us march with a glorious song (Dan 6:25-28). Even the non-Christian King Darius declared praise to God. So, as we march to our destination there is rejoicing and celebration. We are children of God so let us lift our hearts to rejoice with songs of freedom, victory and great joy.
PONDER | REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- How has Daniel and his three friends challenged you about your own journey and life destiny?
- Share an example where you took a stand for the Lord. What were the consequences and how has that affected your faith and/or impacted the people around you?
